Chapter 702 Moving

Two days later, the Xuanfu Division found a house for Ma Kuo, located in Anyuanfang, not far from the Henan government office. Cui Qing brought his soldiers and personally came to move Ma Kuo.

Although he had only been in Luoyang for two or three days, Ma Kuo also knew that Cui Qing was a person close to Wang Xiaolie and had an extraordinary status. He personally welcomed him out and said, "The governor is so busy with official duties. It's really unworthy of him to help me with such small things."

.”

Cui Qing said with a smile: "Xuanfu has specially ordered it, who dares to neglect it? Defense, these are the chores I do every day, and I should come here."

Ma Kuo didn't know what to say, he just refused to let Cui Qing work and patrolled with him.

Cui Qing was from Hedong. After the imperial army was defeated, he was later taken in by Wang Rudai. He always did things in a low-key manner, and no one paid attention to him. However, later Wang Xiao hunted in the east and west, and Cui Qing made many contributions, but never disputed them.

Gong. Later, he was noticed by Wang Xiaolie and recruited to work beside him.

As Wang Xiaolie's personal bodyguard, it is very important to keep a low profile. And when it comes to secrets, he must be very tight-lipped. Cui Qing did a good job in these two aspects. Wang Xiaolie's subordinates are non-commissioned officers, and many people cannot feel his presence.

But everyone knows that this person should not be underestimated.

After the great victory in Shaanzhou, Cui Qing was promoted to the governor of Yaojun. His official position was similar to that of other governors. However, Wang Xiaolie's subordinates still used to call him governor, and only outsiders like Ma Kuo would call him governor.

There are two large elm trees planted in front of the door, which are as thick as one person can hug, with lush branches and leaves. The cicadas are chirping constantly above, tearing up the summer.

Watching the soldiers moving in and saluting the door, Cui Qing said: "It takes time and effort to repair the ownerless houses in this area. This house is a little small, so don't worry about defense. After a few days, the new official residence is built, and then we can move there."

That’ll be fine.”

Ma Kuo looked at the house and said: "It's great. When I was in Rongzhou, there were several thatched huts and a clump of bamboo. Not to mention simple, every time it rained, it would rain heavily outside and it would rain softly inside the house.

It’s really annoying. This house is not too small and is in good repair. I don’t know how much better it is than that time.”

Cui Qing said: "Defense has really suffered over the years."

Ma Kuo sighed and said nothing.

During the Miao and Liu rebellions, Zhu Shengfei kept Zhao Gou safe at home, while Lu Yihao mobilized troops and horses to fight against the thieves outside. The two of them made many achievements. As a privy councilor, he accepted the order and sent an envoy to the Miao and Liu armies on the orders of the prime minister. What went wrong? Just this

Zhu Shengfei, who was involved in such a cowardly act, was bound to be disliked by Zhao Gou, and was demoted afterwards. He also became a criminal because of his association with thieves. Who can explain to him?

Ma Kuo traveled thousands of miles from Guangxi and couldn't bring much with him. Otherwise, he would have moved it all in a short time.

Entering the house, Ma Kuang said: "The governor has worked hard. It's getting late. The governor has a glass of thin wine and lets me express his feelings."

Cui Qing said: "I have come a long way to defend myself, and I have been demoted for many years. I am afraid that I am short of money. Xuanfu specially ordered me to pay a hundred guan for you to use these days. I will withhold it when the salary is paid next month. We are here.

As a rule, officials are not allowed to give gifts to each other, and defense should not be exposed to outsiders."

After saying that, he took out a stack of huizi and handed it to Ma Kuo.

Ma Kuo was indeed short of money. He was not polite and kept the meeting.

Cui Qing added: "Fang Fang moved to his new home today. It's time for the family to have a good reunion and celebrate. What's going on with me here? It's getting late. Let's go back. Fang Fang can go in and tidy up. Yes.

Yes, there are two soldiers on the defensive side. Come over tomorrow and arrange accommodation for them."

Wang Xiaolie's subordinates were all assigned personal soldiers according to their official positions. These soldiers were managed uniformly, and the government paid them salaries to serve the officials. Instead of like in the past, the court paid money and the officials hired themselves.

These personal soldiers are clearly meant to do various chores for officials, and are somewhat similar to servants. But they are managed and paid by someone above them, so they will naturally obey the orders from above. The main reason for doing this is to prevent officials from cultivating their own power.

.

After explaining everything clearly one by one, Cui Qing took his soldiers and left. Ma Kuo went straight to the street entrance and then turned around.

Sitting down in the main hall of the house, Ma Kuo watched the crabapple flowers in the yard wither and bear small fruits. Under the crabapple tree, several peonies were growing lushly, and the area was green. The sweet-scented osmanthus tree in the west had not yet bloomed.

A kitten plays among the leaves.

The wife and her son were busy here and there, tidying up here and decorating there, and they were very busy.

Sighing, Ma Kao said: "I haven't had such a day for many years."

The lady came out and said: "This house is very spacious, and it has new furniture. It couldn't be better! We have moved into a new home, and it's time to celebrate tonight. Governor Cui just sent money, so you can

Go out and buy some groceries and come back."

Ma Kuo said: "I have lived for decades and I don't know how to buy groceries."

The wife turned around and shouted to her son: "Da Lang, take the money and go out to buy some vegetables! If you don't mean to be stingy, buy more wine and meat!"

The son came out of the house and agreed happily. He walked up to Ma Kuo and looked at his father without saying a word.

Ma Kuo smiled, took out the money Cui Qing gave and handed it to his wife. He said, "Women still have to manage the money at home. What's the use of me holding it?"

The lady took the money, clicked it, and said: "A whole hundred guan! Under Wang Xuanfu's rule, huizi are as useful as copper coins, unlike other places. I heard people say that you can also deposit huizi in a bank.

There’s interest!”

As he spoke, he took out five guan of money, a small stack of money, and handed it to his son.

Dalang took the money and said with a smile: "Five guan, you can eat well tonight! Mom, I won't return the remaining money to you. After moving to Luoyang, I also have a lot of money at home."

The lady said: "I won't pay it back, I won't pay it back. You have been wandering north and south with your father in the past few years, and you have also suffered. It is best to settle down and live in Luoyang."

Dalang agreed and ran out happily.

Ma Kuo has two sons and three daughters. The eldest son is already married and has children, and the second son is also fifteen years old. Among the daughters, the eldest sister and the second sister are already married. Only the second sister is only thirteen years old and still living at home.

The whole family relied entirely on Ma Kuo's salary. In the past few years, as a criminal official, Ma Kuo had a meager income and a very difficult life. After living freely, he only briefly worked as an official in Wu Min's office for a few months.

, the economy has not improved much. It will take a long time to get a hundred thousand dollars today.

The lady put the money away and asked Ma Kuo: "How much salary will you get per month as an official here?"

Ma Kuang said: "I actually asked people, it's about two hundred and twenty guan a month. But here in Xuanfu, everything is paid in real money, there is no deduction, and no silk is given. What's more important is that

, they are all distributed with full money, unlike in the industry, which always only gives out 600 coins."

The lady couldn't help but be overjoyed after hearing this. She said: "More than two hundred dollars a month is enough money, real money, but the family can't use it all. It is said that officials under Wang Xuanfu's rule have the richest salaries. It is indeed not a lie! I hope

If you can live a stable life, don’t run around here and there!"

Ma Kuo nodded, with infinite emotion in his heart. He sacrificed himself for the country, so he was naturally determined. But if possible, who doesn't want to live a stable and prosperous life. Literally speaking, Wang Xiao's money is no more than the imperial salary.

A lot. But when you pay real money, cash, without any discounts, the money you get is much worse. Especially for lower-level officials, the salary is already small, and the deductions are high. Wang Xiaolie's income has more than doubled.
Chapter completed!